Your roof gets the most direct assault from wind, rain, hail and bitter cold. A well-installed Roofing Phoenixville PA can withstand these assaults beautifully for decades.

The roofing contractor installs an ice and water barrier or underlayment over the sheathing. This material is nailed down firmly with cap nails that are close together along the edge and spread out further toward the middle.

Materials

A roof protects a home from heat, cold, moisture and other environmental elements. There are many different roofing materials available for homeowners. Choosing the right material for your home depends on your budget, aesthetic preferences and the climate where you live. Different materials also have different lifespans and maintenance requirements.

During the installation of a new roof or roof replacement, sheathing is used to provide a base for shingles and other roofing coverings. Sheathing is typically made from plywood or OSB and is essential for a strong, sturdy roof.

When evaluating roofing materials, consider the initial cost and lifespan. Some materials may have a lower upfront cost but require more frequent repairs or replacement, while others have a longer lifespan and can help you save money on energy costs.

In addition to shingles, other popular roofing materials include wood shakes and slate. Shingles are typically thin wedge-shaped pieces of wood, while shakes are thicker with a rough texture. Both are durable options that pair well with rustic and country-style homes.

Another option is clay or concrete tiles, which are often seen on Spanish and Mediterranean-style homes. These are long-lasting, non-combustible and can help save on energy costs. However, they are expensive and heavy, and require additional framing to install.

During the re-roofing process, tarps are an essential tool for collecting shingle debris and other waste. Additionally, they can be laid on the ground to prevent shingles from flying off during the tear-off process. A good quality tarp will last through multiple jobs, so make sure it’s durable and waterproof. It’s also a good idea to have a few extra tarps on hand in case of an unexpected weather event.

Underlayment

Roofing installation is not just about the shingles, it also involves the layers underneath. The underlayment is what helps keep moisture from getting into the home’s structure. The underlayment is installed on the wooden boards that make up your roof’s skeleton, which is called the roof deck. The underlayment provides a layer of protection to stop rain or other weather from seeping under the shingles and causing damage to the wood or framing of your home.

There are different types of underlayment used in roofing installations, and which one your roofing contractor uses depends on your specific project. One of the most common underlayment options is black, ashphalt-saturated felt paper. It is generally applied all over the roof deck and comes in different thicknesses with varying resistance to damage and weather exposure. Thirty-pound felt underlayment is typically recommended by roofing contractors, as it provides more protection and water resistance than 15-pound felt underlayment.

Another type of underlayment is a synthetic sheeting with an asphalt basemat, usually reinforced with fiberglass for tear resistance. It is ideally applied all over the roof deck and is often used in conjunction with waterproof products. Synthetic underlayment tends to be more expensive than the felt option and requires a certain level of skill to properly install.

Finally, there is a self-adhering membrane underlayment that has a rubberized asphalt or butyl-based adhesive mounted on a polyethylene carrier sheet. It can be easily peeled and stuck down to the roof deck, and it presents an air barrier that will help with ice dam prevention. However, this type of underlayment is not known to perform well in low-temperature conditions and may be difficult for a roofing contractor to work with.

Shingles

Shingles are thin flat pieces of building material that assemble into overlapping rows to cover roofs, creating a protective barrier against rain and sunlight. They’re available in a wide range of materials, colors and styles. They are designed to accentuate your home’s architecture and complement its overall aesthetic while protecting the roof structure.

Shingle types include asphalt, metal and wood. Regardless of the type, each offers different benefits. For example, a light colored shingle can reflect the sun’s heat away from the roof surface, reducing interior energy costs. Metal shingles provide an elegant, sleek aesthetic and offer excellent durability. They are well suited for commercial and industrial roofing.

When it comes to residential roofs, a shingle’s thickness and construction help determine its ability to resist wind and other weather elements. The thickness of a shingle is measured in “tabs.” The more tabs on the shingle, the thicker it is. Roofing shingles are also available in various color options, which allow for more visual customization and customization of the roof’s appearance.

Before beginning a new roof shingle installation, remove any existing shingles from the roof. When doing so, be sure to remove all nails protruding from the old shingles and pound them flat. Otherwise, the protruding nails will tear holes in the new shingles when they’re installed.

For shingle installation, begin by installing the first row of shingles (the starter course). These should be three-tab asphalt shingles with a self-sealing adhesive strip. Make sure to install them with the strip facing the eave. This helps prevent water and snow from melting and refreezing, which can cause ice dams.

Overlap the starter course shingles by at least two inches. Then, nail the second course over the overlap. Next, install a piece of flashing to protect any areas where the roof meets walls or other roof penetrations. It’s important to install an ice and water membrane, too.

Flashing

Flashing is a sheet of thin, impervious material that prevents water penetration or seepage into structures. It’s installed at roof intersections or projections like chimneys, dormers, vent pipes and window openings as well as at wall junctions. It also prevents moisture from entering a structure through joints in brick walls, and it helps guide the flow of run-off water away from the building’s foundation.

It’s a very important element that prevents water leaks, and without it, a lot of homes would have serious water damage from the inside out. Water that gets beneath the shingles can cause rot, mildew, mold and pest infestations, and if it penetrates the roof decking it can lead to structural issues and other problems. Flashing is a metal that’s resistant to moisture and it can be made from a variety of materials such as aluminum, copper or galvanized steel.

There are several different types of flashing, including base flashing that sits where the roof plane and a vertical protrusion meet; step flashing that’s usually found on an angle between a wall and a dormer or chimney; and valley flashing that seals the area where two intersecting roof planes come together. In addition, there’s kickout flashing that’s placed at the crease where step flashing meets the wall and helps direct water further away from the wall and into gutters or downspouts.

To make a piece of corner flashing, a roofer uses tin snips or a pre-bent piece to form it into an L-shape and then nails it to the shingle at the top edge of the roof. Then, he or she applies caulking around it to seal it. Flashing is pretty self sufficient and requires very little maintenance, but a regular inspection by a professional will ensure it’s in good condition.

Gutters

Gutters are one of the most important parts of your roofing system. They protect your roof from rot and damage, as well as your house and property from water intrusion and flooding. They do this by capturing the rain and snow runoff from the roof and properly dispersing it away from your home’s foundation. While gutters may seem like a minor exterior home component, there’s a lot that goes into their installation and operation.

First, your roofer will assess the condition of your current gutters and downspouts to make sure that they’re in good shape. If they’re clogged, old, or damaged, it’s time to consider replacement. If they aren’t, then your roofer can move forward with the gutter installation process.

Once the gutters are off, your roofer will take measurements to determine how large your new gutters and downspouts should be. This is a crucial step, as it ensures that the gutters are sized to properly fit your roof and home. They’ll also take into account factors such as the style of your roof, the location of your home (whether it’s surrounded by trees or other tall structures), and the size and type of gutters you already have.

The gutters will then be attached to the fascia boards using a series of gutter hangers. These are metal brackets that attach the gutters to the fascia boards using screws instead of nails. This method of attachment is much stronger and more secure than nailing the gutters to the fascia boards. In addition to the gutters themselves, your roofer will install downspouts to channel the water and precipitation away from your house. This will help prevent damage to your siding, landscaping, roof, and foundation.